Didem AydoÄŸan1, Nazlı BüÅŸra Akçabozan Kayabol2, Özgür Osman Demir3, YaÅŸar Özbay4, Suna Eryigit-Madzwamuse5
1 Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey, Turkey. 2 BahçeÅŸehir University, Ä°stanbul, Turkey, Turkey. 3 Hasan Kalyoncu Universityon, Gaziantep, Turkey, Turkey. 4 Hasan Kalyoncu University, Gaziantep, Turkey, Turkey. 5 The University of British Columbia, Vancouver,, Canada, Canada
Short Abstract
As part of a larger co-produced socio-ecological family resilience project, in this study, we investigated the perceptions of 22 practitioners (e.g., psychologists, sociologists) working with low-income families in Turkey. Utilizing a qualitative design, we conducted five semi-structured focus group interviews. The results were organized into 9 categories: family structure, multiple challenges of families, the effects of global issues on families, spouses’ reactions to economic hardships, meaning-making processes out of economic hardships, family organizational patterns for economic challenges, family functioning resources, recommendations for social policy makers, and the problems faced by the practitioners.
Long Abstract
We are going through challenging times across the world. This heightens the need for better understanding resilience and resilience practice especially at the family level with a culturally sensitive lens. As part of a larger co-produced and socio-ecologically-oriented family resilience project, in this particular study, we aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of practitioners (mental health practitioners, sociologists, social workers, NGOs and municipal officials; social policy professionals) who provide resilience focused services to families facing multiple challenges due to economic hardship. Utilizing qualitative design, we conducted five focus group interviews with 22 practitioners during May-August 2023. Our sample (20 women and 2 men) had a wide range of practitioner representation with a 6 months to 21 years of experience across diverse statutory and voluntary settings. We used a semi-structured interview form (11 items) and a demographic information form (18 items) to collect data. Content analyses were carried out using MAXQDA. Results indicated nine categories: family structure, multiple challenges of families, the effects of global issues on families, spouses’ reactions to economic hardships, meaning-making processes out of economic hardships, family organizational patterns for economic challenges, family functioning resources, recommendations for social policy makers, and the problems faced by the practitioners. The trustworthiness and credibility of the findings were ensured through the use of a multi-method approach. In relation to family resilience, we found that families experience challenges at the micro and macro levels. They dealt with these challenges by positively reframing their difficulties, collaborating with each other within the family, seeking help from social services and support networks, and using their individual, relational, and family resources. We also found that practitioners face unique individual and systemic challenges that prevent them from working effectively with disadvantaged families and that they recommend to policy makers for resolution.
Reference:
AydoÄŸan, D., Akçabozan-Kayabol, N.B., Demir, O., Özbay, Y., & Eryigit-Madzwamuse, S.(2024, July 5-9). An investigation of family resilience in Turkish low income family context: Practitioner perspectives and experiences [Conference presentation]. International Association for Relationship Research (IARR) 2024 Main Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
